And yet none of the guys we're talking about could displace him in the starting lineup.

Butler had a disease that was causing him to lose weight. Once resolved, he went from an afterthought to the swing tackle. Frye was a 5th round rookie they were working to convert to guard. Brown wasn't on the team.

My point, again, is that if Brown wins the starting job, which he likely will- I think Butler will likely beat out Salaam, based on the coaches' enthusiasm for his play this offseason, his youth, and superior athleticism. If that happens, treating Pitts or Briesel or Frye (if he makes the team) as our 4th option at tackle, makes more sense than hanging on to Salaam and cutting a young, athletic guard that the coaches have hopes for.